Skeptic - 2008 - Vol 21 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 21 Number 4
Date: Winter 2008
Publisher: The Skeptic / Skeptical Inquirer
Country: United Kingdom
ISSN: 0959-5228

This issue of The Skeptic, published in Winter 2008, offers a range of articles examining paranormal claims, belief systems, and skeptical inquiry. The cover prominently features "The Sceptical Medium: A Course in Crossing Over" and "The Messengers of Lily Dale: An Analysis of Modern Spiritualist Mediums," signaling a focus on the investigation of spiritualist practices.

Editorial

Lindsay Kallis and Chris French, the editors, open the issue with an editorial titled "Editorial." They discuss the work of the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit (APRU), clarifying that their focus is on understanding the psychology behind paranormal beliefs rather than solely testing their existence. They highlight the growing number of people who do not subscribe to religious doctrines, placing secularists, atheists, and agnostics as a significant demographic group. The editors note a shift towards a more naturalistic worldview in popular culture, citing various resources and communities that support this movement. They also touch upon the research being undertaken at APRU into individuals and groups with a non-paranormal worldview, questioning whether a world without supernatural beliefs would lead to moral depravity or a chance to thrive. The editorial concludes by introducing articles by Jon Donni and Ben Radford, who recount personal experiences related to the 'other side' and explore the reasons behind persistent paranormal beliefs.

Key Articles and Features

Hits and Misses

Mark Williams writes about the "Atheist Bus Campaign," a joint venture by the British Humanist Association and Richard Dawkins, which aimed to counter religious propaganda on London buses with the slogan "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." Williams expresses skepticism about the campaign's effectiveness in changing people's beliefs, suggesting it's more of a media attention-grabber. He also mentions an exchange with James Randi and Chris French, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and questioning evidence.

Williams also briefly touches upon the RSPCA's statement urging the Church to celebrate animals and promote awareness of animal suffering, linking it to a broader societal need to consider how lifestyles impact animals.

Frankenstein's Microchip

This section discusses the development of a neuro-semiconductor interface by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, termed NACHIP. This technology integrates living mammalian neurons and silicone, allowing for bi-directional electrical signals. The article notes that while not as sensational as human-animal hybrid embryos (a topic also briefly mentioned in relation to the HFE Bill), this development has significant potential for drug screening and genetically powered hard drives.

A Shot in the Dark

This piece examines the fictional portrayal of the Lone Ranger's silver bullet, questioning its practical feasibility. It details how Gun World staff attempted to replicate the process and encountered difficulties in heating the silver to its melting point and finding the correct gunpowder mix. The article suggests that forging bullets by campfire is impractical and that electrolysis might be a better method for obtaining a silver-plated bullet.

Skeptic at large

Wendy M Grossman, founder and former editor of The Skeptic, reflects on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in response to a critique by Steven Mohr. Grossman, a lifelong non-drinker, shares her observations from attending AA meetings and her interactions with sober individuals. She argues that while AA has religious trappings, the core concept of mutual support and the "God as we understand Him" principle can be adapted by secularists. She defends AA against accusations of being a dangerous cult, comparing its success rates to medicine and emphasizing that membership requires only a desire to stop drinking.

The Sceptical Medium: A Course in Crossing Over

Jon Donni recounts his personal experience attending a mediumship training school run by Kendra Whitty. Initially a self-proclaimed "loud-mouthed, armchair-sceptic know-it-all," Donni accepted the challenge to train as a medium to understand the process. He describes the initial exercises, including clairvoyance, clairsentience, and clairaudience, and his attempts to interpret messages. Donni details his experiences over three weeks, including a psychometry session where he correctly identified a toy car, and a spirit communication exercise where he felt he was purely using his imagination. He concludes that while he witnessed some apparent hits, he remained a skeptic, attributing most of his own successes to luck or coincidence, and noting the cognitive biases that can influence believers' interpretations of readings.

The Messengers of Lily Dale: An Analysis of Modern Spiritualist Mediums

This article, by Benjamin Radford, is mentioned in the table of contents but not fully transcribed in the provided pages. It likely analyzes modern spiritualist mediums, possibly focusing on the community of Lily Dale.

Philosopher's Corner

Julian Baggini contributes to this section, the content of which is not detailed in the provided pages.

Through a Glass Darkly

Michael Heap's contribution to this section is also not detailed in the provided pages.

Reviews

This section contains book reviews, but the specific titles and reviewers are not detailed in the provided pages.

Letters

This section features letters from readers, but their content is not detailed in the provided pages.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around skepticism, the critical examination of paranormal claims, and the psychological and social factors influencing belief. The magazine consistently adopts a rationalist and evidence-based approach, challenging pseudoscientific ideas and promoting critical thinking. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific inquiry and a naturalistic worldview, while acknowledging the widespread nature of belief in the supernatural and the need to understand its appeal. The issue also touches upon social issues such as animal welfare and the growing secular population, framing them within a broader context of critical analysis.

This issue of The Skeptic, Volume 21, Number 4, dated July 1946, focuses on an analysis of modern spiritualist mediums, primarily through the personal experiences of author Benjamin Radford at a mediumship retreat in Lily Dale, New York. The magazine also features a "Skeptical Stats" section presenting a collection of unusual facts and statistics.

The Messengers of Lily Dale: An Analysis of Modern Spiritualist Mediums

Benjamin Radford recounts his experience at a mediumship retreat in Lily Dale, a town known for its Spiritualist community. Spiritualists believe in continued existence after death and that mediums can contact the dead. Radford attended a message service at the "Inspiration Stump" with colleagues Joe Nickell and Kevin Christopher, observing six clairvoyant mediums providing readings to an audience of approximately 200 people.

Radford categorizes the readings into several types:

1. Banal Responses: General statements applicable to most people, common sense advice, or words of encouragement.
2. Fishing Expeditions: Responses in the form of questions designed to elicit information from the subject, often by making broad statements that could apply to many people.
3. Incorrect Responses: Specific statements that are factually wrong, which mediums often attempt to rationalize.
4. Detailed Responses: Vivid descriptions or specific pieces of information, some of which are correct and verifiable.

Radford details several specific readings:

• Medium 1 (Rochester, NY): Gave banal responses about protecting one's heart and helping others.
• Medium 2 (Thin blonde woman): Motioned to the audience, seeking a connection, and eventually spoke about an Uncle Al, a suit from the 1950s, and a fake diamond ring. When the subject had no Uncle Al, the medium hedged. She also mentioned a Jack Russell dog and a girlfriend named 'Cally'.
• Medium 3 (Thin, blonde British woman): Gave readings to Joe Nickell, suggesting future success and mentioning his father. Another subject was told they were a good planner and would be fine if they followed advice. A third subject was told they would be healthy as long as they did what they were told.
• Medium 4 (Small Asian woman): Asked a teenage girl if she was in high school and gave advice about relationships and not letting boys control her life. She also asked a man about being an executive director and working in an office, with limited success.
• Medium 5 (Heavyset blonde woman): Claimed to see a gentleman whose name started with 'H', later suggesting a nephew or someone representing work. She also described a lady with hearing difficulty who never admitted it, and a woman who enthusiastically agreed with this description.
• Medium 6 (Large woman in denim): Asked a man if he knew anyone named Joe or Joseph, to which he replied "My grandfather." She also spoke to an overweight black woman about diabetes and a female friend, and to a man about stomach problems and creativity.

Radford also describes his personal experiences with 'scrying', an exercise where participants place their hand in water to psychically connect with someone else. He initially connected with a man named Nick, identifying his interest in baking and his girlfriend's name. However, when another participant tried to read him, the results were extremely negative, and he felt the responses could apply to multiple people, likening it to Barnum statements.

He notes that Kendra, the teacher of the beginners, was not the teacher of the intermediates, and he had not seen any cold reading or cheating techniques from her group. However, he witnessed blatant cold reading from an intermediate named John.

Jon Donni's Experience and Conclusion

Jon Donni, described as the UK's most famous internet skeptic, shares his personal journey through a mediumship course. He initially believed all psychics were frauds using cold reading. However, after experiencing the course, he realized that many people genuinely believe they are psychic, their belief stemming from naivety rather than ignorance. He states that he learned how it feels to be a medium and gained a better understanding of how people convince themselves of psychic abilities.

Donni recounts a strange incident where Kendra, a teacher, accidentally called him by a three-letter name, a shortened version of his Greek name, which he found inexplicable. Despite this, he maintains his skeptical stance, believing Kendra does not communicate with spirits or cheat, but genuinely believes in her abilities.

Skeptical Stats

This section presents a numbered list of 25 unusual statistics and facts from various sources, including:

• Number of bicycles stolen by a prolific bike thief: 2,865.
• Size of the world's largest potato crisp: 25x14 inches.
• Distance of the furthest object seen with the naked eye: 7.5 billion light years.
• Number of hours Britons spend 'faffing about' daily: about two hours and forty minutes.
• Number of hoax calls received by emergency operators annually: 16.1 million.
• Total worldwide annual mortality attributable to inadequate consumption of fruit and vegetables: up to 2.7 million.
• Number of golf balls surgically removed from a Labrador's stomach: 13.

Analysis

Radford concludes that the readings largely relied on the Barnum effect, where general statements are perceived as specific. He notes that mediums often rationalize incorrect responses. He also draws an analogy between mediumship and Facilitated Communication, suggesting that in both cases, the facilitator (medium) might be generating the messages rather than receiving them from an external source (spirits or non-verbal individuals).

He overheard a conversation where a woman was displeased with her private session, stating that being told she was Irish when she was English was "close enough" for the medium, highlighting a lack of accuracy and potential for American myopia. Radford suggests that many messages are generic advice and comfort, rather than specific information from the deceased.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout the articles is skepticism towards psychic abilities and spiritualist claims. The author's personal experiences and analysis consistently point towards psychological explanations like cold reading, the Barnum effect, and coincidence, rather than genuine paranormal phenomena. The magazine's stance is clearly critical of unsubstantiated claims of psychic powers, advocating for rational inquiry and empirical evidence. The "Skeptical Stats" section further reinforces this by presenting factual, often quirky, data that contrasts with the often unsubstantiated claims made in the spiritualist community.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 21, Number 4
Date: 2008
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: United Kingdom
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of The Skeptic presents a range of articles and reviews from a critical and skeptical perspective, covering topics from psychic phenomena and modern food culture to the impact of technology and the critique of pseudoscientific theories.

Articles and Columns

The Skeptic Column

The introductory article discusses the nature of skepticism, emphasizing that acquiring reliable truths about the world is difficult. It touches upon the shift in mediumship from physical to mental phenomena and the challenges in discerning genuine belief from deception. The column also references various studies and authors in the field of parapsychology and skepticism.

Skeptics in the Pub

This section details the 'Skeptics in the Pub' initiative, an informal monthly meeting for those interested in or skeptical about the paranormal, science, and religion. It provides details on how to find out more about the meetings, including the London branch's venue (Penderel's Oak pub) and contact information for organizing the events, with a suggested donation of £2.00.

Philosopher's Corner

Julian Baggini's column, 'Philosopher's Corner,' expresses his strong skepticism towards modern food culture, presenting a 'top ten of contemporary food crimes.' These include Pot Noodles, margarine, instant coffee, Dutch tomatoes, 'healthy eating' ranges, wholemeal pasta, French Golden Delicious apples, chicken tikka pizza, Harvester restaurants, and health food shops. Baggini argues that these represent a degradation of food quality and authenticity.

Through a Glass Darkly

Michael Heap's column, 'Through a Glass Darkly,' discusses the change in his column's title from 'ASKE News' to reflect the idea that information is often fragmented and distorted. He addresses concerns raised by an ASKE member in Glastonbury about a perceived 'health danger' associated with the town's new public wi-fi system. The column lists the symptoms reported by residents and contrasts them with common skeptical explanations, ultimately attributing the concerns to the wi-fi network.

Reviews

Occult London by Merlin Coverley

Reviewed by Tessa Kendall, this book is described as offering little new insight into the occult in London, primarily consisting of potted biographies and historical background. Kendall finds the book insubstantial and suggests that readers would gain more from reading the works of authors like Peter Ackroyd and Iain Sinclair. Specific sections, such as the Mary Glover witchcraft case and the entry on William Blake, are criticized for their lack of depth and reliance on easily accessible information.

2012: The Year Of The Mayan Prophecy by Daniel Pinchbeck

Reviewed by Mark Newbrook, this book is presented as arguing for the significance of the Mayan 'Long Count' ending in December 2012. Pinchbeck connects Mayan ideas with other cultural traditions and modern scientific notions, advocating for a shift in worldview. Newbrook notes that while Pinchbeck is well-informed, the book is also intensely personal and subjective. The review points out Pinchbeck's use of questionable linguistic methods and his one-sided presentation of evidence, particularly regarding spiritual entities and paranormal phenomena. Newbrook concludes that while Pinchbeck might have arguable claims, his emotional approach hinders his persuasiveness.

The Paperback Apocalypse: How the Christian Church Was Left Behind by Robert M. Price

Reviewed by Mike Hutton, this book examines the beliefs of American fundamentalists regarding eschatology, particularly the 'end of the world.' Price analyzes ideas like the Rapture and the Antichrist, attributing them to mistaken interpretations of the New Testament and a 'corporate eschatology.' The review notes the book's exploration of preterism and the shift in fundamentalist focus towards electoral politics. It also covers the genre of Apocalypse and Antichrist novels, including the 'Left Behind' series. The book is described as scholarly with humor and a useful guide to the evangelical/fundamentalist scene.

Counter-Knowledge: How we Surrendered to Conspiracy Theories, Quack Medicine, Bogus Science and Fake History by Damian Thompson

Reviewed by Mark Newbrook, this book is praised as a significant contribution to skeptical critiques of irrational 'fringe' theories. Thompson addresses the influence of such theories, particularly in Islamic theocracies and the West, and critiques 'alternative spirituality' and Christian fundamentalism. The review highlights Thompson's arguments against religion and irrationality, advocating for mainstream academic consensus. It also analyzes the origins of 'counter-knowledge,' citing postmodernism, universities' complicity, and the internet as contributing factors. The review notes Thompson's discussion of pseudohistory, including theories about the Templars and 'ancient astronauts,' and his critique of the convergence of postmodernism and pseudoscience.

Jinn from Hyperspace: And Other Scribblings - Both Serious and Whimsical by Martin Gardner

Reviewed by Paul Taylor, this collection of Martin Gardner's writings is described as a mix of serious and whimsical pieces covering mathematical puzzles, science, and literature. Taylor notes Gardner's admiration for Gilbert Chesterton and his views on the mind and consciousness, while also expressing disappointment that Gardner has not fully embraced Darwinian evolution. The review mentions the book's exploration of false memory, mathematical fiction, and literary essays, including those on L. Frank Baum and Lewis Carroll.

Beyond the Hoax: Science, Philosophy and Culture by Alan Sokal

Reviewed by Paul Taylor, this book revisits Alan Sokal's critique of postmodernism's abuse of science, building on his earlier work 'Intellectual Impostures.' The review highlights Sokal's annotations to his original parody and his defense of scientific rationality. A key chapter discussed is 'Pseudoscience and postmodernism: Antagonists or fellow-travellers?', which examines how pseudoscience can be abetted by postmodernist arguments. Sokal concludes that postmodernism weakens the foundation for scientific thought, contributing to an 'ocean of insanity.'

Letters and Editorials

An Author's Response

Nick Harding responds to a review of his book 'How to Start Your Own Secret Society,' clarifying that the book was intended as a humorous take on the subject, not a serious guide. He explains that the book was meant to be pythonesque and filled with made-up quotes, and that dedicating it to Richard Dawkins and Carl Sagan was a clue to its satirical intent.

The Definition of a Sceptic

Ian Mason offers a humorous and provocative definition of a skeptic: 'One who, when confronted with a dogma or an absolute, has a powerful urge to kick it in the balls.'

Whose Father is the Father?

Rory Allen poses a theological question about the Trinity, specifically the parentage of Christ and the implications for the doctrine of the Trinity. Allen questions the traditional understanding of the Holy Spirit as the father of Christ and asks for a rational justification for the doctrine in light of this perceived internal contradiction.

The Skeptic Comes of Age!

This editorial announces a significant revamp of The Skeptic magazine, marking its 21st anniversary. The magazine will increase to 40 pages, feature new columnists, cartoons, and celebrity interviews, starting with the Amazing Randi. This expansion will necessitate a price increase for subscriptions.

Back Issues

This section provides a comprehensive list of available back issues of The Skeptic magazine, categorized by volume and issue number, with titles and brief descriptions of their contents. It also details subscription rates and discounts for purchasing multiple back issues.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Skeptic revolve around the critical examination of pseudoscientific claims, paranormal phenomena, and irrational beliefs across various domains, including psychic phenomena, alternative medicine, conspiracy theories, and religious fundamentalism. The magazine consistently advocates for scientific rationality, evidence-based reasoning, and a skeptical approach to extraordinary claims. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of promoting critical thinking and debunking misinformation, as evidenced by the reviews of books that challenge pseudoscience and the columns that dissect flawed arguments. The magazine also shows an interest in the cultural and societal implications of these beliefs, as seen in the discussions on food culture and the impact of technology.